Crutch



.Dem 5, 1944 J. BOURNE 2,364,053

CRUTCH Filed Nov. 23, 1943 INVENTOR able for the saddle.

Patented Dec.` 5,` 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,354,051 onurcn James Bourne,` Mount `Vernon, N. ApplicationNovember 1943, Serial No. 511,4()"1V I claims. y (ci. 13s-"52)V This invention relates to crutches for the lame, and moreparticularly to means for `cushioning shocks to the user of the crutch in cooperation with pivoting nieanstominimize other discom- `forts arising from the rubbing of the armpit on the saddle of the crutch. I I u An object of the invention is to provide a structure of this character that can be ,cheaply manufactured, and one in Whichthe pivoting means willbe widelyspaced transversely to counteract undesirable twisting movementsl of the saddle tending to make the crutch unstable. Another object of the invention resides in a structure suit- `use as an attachment to existing crutches with rigid wooden saddles. n v

, In carrying out the v,foregoing and `other `objects, this invention provides an improved construction in `which the mounting of the saddle minimizes sliding of the same under the armpit a stride.V

Pivoting means heretofore proposed for this purpose `have been applied at a single point in alignment with the vertical axis of the crutch and with the springs employed for cushioning In such a construction `twisting strains during use of the crutch are concentrated at this one point, and the parts tend to becomerickety. In the present invention the pivoting means are spaced to a maximum extent` on opposite sides ofthe aligned springs, providing for a rocking movement of the saddle for-` wardly and rearwardly as well as to a limited extent transversely, but without loss of stability with respect to pivotal movement of the saddle about the vertical axis ofthe crutch.

"the upper end of a crutch with an embodiment of the invention shown applied thereto in the form of an attachment suitable for ordinary wooden saddle crutches.

Fig. 2 is a Vertical transverse section taken on `the line 2--2 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 1 but illus-` trating a modified form of the invention, and,

Fig. 4 is a vertical section` taken` on the line In the drawing the fragmentary upper portion "of a crutch I isshown having the usual wooden shoulder rest or head member II, but which has been cut along the line |2-I2 to provide a flat surface la. The dat `anrcnsn iinesindicatethe originaloutline'of the member I Ibefore the cutl ting'operation.` The crutch I Ulis `now ready for theapplication of the attachment shown `in`Fig.

`i 1 comprising a hollow saddle member `III `of suit- `fable configuration, and having depending con- `tinuous` end and side walls, the latter being indicated at I5. Member I4 is open at the bottom, andthe top wall is shaped to correspond to the usual contour of the top of a crutch. `It is p`ref"` frusto-conical as shown, and having their lower ends of increased diameter for engagement with the surface I 3fwhen the attachment is applied to the crutch I0. The upper ends of the springs of lesser diameter may be securedtothe studs I6 by a force t, or in any other suitable manner.

The side walls I dof member I4 are provided respectively with centrallylocated tabs. I8exy tending downwardly from the lower edge thereof, and have slots f I9 therethrough. The attachment may be secured to the wooden member I I in the desired manner by screws 20 which pass through the slots I9 and into the sides of said member.

1 to move downwardly compressing the springs I'I, and `at the same timeto rock on the pivots proextent transversely by reason of the slotted side vided by the screws 20, and to rock to a limited walls. I

`It willnow be apparent that as the body of a person using the crutch swings through a stride there will be angular movement of the saddle `member I4 about the central `pivotal screws 20 while the springs I 'I are partially compressed, and that such movement of the saddle will be rela- I tive to the crutch instead of to the armpit, the

spaced pivotal points effectively maintaining the desirable alignment of the saddle and the head members during such movement.

Referring to Fig. 3, a hollow saddle member 25 may be molded from plastic material such as Bakelite, with a suitably shaped top wall 26 to tthe armpit, arid depending continuous lend and 32 therethrough, and `bosses 33 extending upf` wardly. I The member 29 has tubular bosses-34 `formed toproject downwardly for` securing it to` The saddle member I4 will then he free` the usual truss bars of a crutch, shown broken away at 35. A series of aligned springs 3B pos1- tioned between and by the aligned bosses 28 and 33, are of suitable shape such as the springs I1,

and serve the same purpose.

Inserts 31 are molded in the side walls 21 of member 25, and are bent inwardly so .that their inner surface will be flush with the inner surface of the walls 21. The inserts 31 are positioned centrally along.. the side walls sol as to be opposite the tabs. and have openings 38 therethrough for .the insertion of a bolt 39 which is of suitable length to reach across the saddle member 25;

The side walls 21 have openings 40 leading inwardly to the inserts 31 so that the head of tlle bolt and a nut 4I on the opposite end may b econtained therein without projecting beyond the outer surface 4of the walls. The- Shape' ofatfleast one of the openings 40 may conform to that of the nut 4l so that the latter will be held stationary' while thefbolt'is being: applied..l The bolt 33 pro vides a= piyotalr connection for the t-wofmembers, and incoop-eration withthe slots 32'providesfor the rocking movement of. theA saddlel member inV the 'mannerA already described..

Theffor-ego-ing description is merely illustrative andnot-intended` as limiting. theinvention-thereto.

L. In l ay crutchA having. spring. means interposed.

between `its saddle member and# head. member,n

member in overlappingrelationA thereto, andA spring means mounted within.'tnesaddle'member between said slots for 4yieldably supporting the saddle member on the head member for the purpose set forth.

3. In .a crutch having a hollow saddle member, and a head member secured to the truss bars of said crutch, and spring means interposed between said members, the combination therewith lof means for flexibly securing said members together comprising centrally-slotted side walls on one. of. said members overlapping the side walls sof. the other member, and means for pivotally connecting the contiguous side walls of said members through said slots for the purpose set forth.

4. In a crutch having a hollow saddle member, `and a head member secured to the truss bars of said crutch, and spring means interposed between 'said' members, the combination therewith of means for exiblysecuring said members together comprising centrally-slotted side walls on said saddlemember overlapping the sides of said head member, and means for pivotally` connecting: the contiguous side walls of said members;

'throughsaidslots for the purpose set forth.

5.`Al resilient rocking head for a crutch co1n.Y prising ahollow saddle member made of plastic.v material, and a metallic plate member for at.-r tacl'zrnent to theA truss barsof said crutch, and having sidewalls extending upwardly withinisaidl saddle.memberV in juxtaposition to thefside-Walls thereofV each of` said walls of theY plate-member. being.. provided with a centrally disposed"vertical.L

slot therethrough,- said saddle member. havingaa" metallic insert molded inM each.. of the side walls thereof'opposite saidslots and substantially flush` with vthe inner surface. of. said lWalls-,a bolt extend@ ing. transversely through said inserts. and said slots` for' pivotally and slidably connecting said.

members, the sidewalls of the saddle member' having. openings' leading inwardly .to said inserts. to receive `the opposite ends of saidV bolt, andl spring Ine-'ansV interposed between saidl saddle and. plate members.

' JAMES BOURNEQ 

